How to Download Anki the Right Way in 2026: Official Sources, Platform Guide, and Scam App Warnings

Quick-Reference: Which Anki App Should You Download?

Anki is not a single app — it is an ecosystem with four official download paths, each designed for a different device and use case. The table below gives you the straight answer for your platform. If you are on a desktop or Android, the full experience is free. If you are on iPhone or iPad, the one-time purchase of $24.99 funds the entire ecosystem, including the free desktop and Android apps.

For a broader look at what Anki can do beyond downloading, read our complete Anki profile covering features, use cases, and platform comparisons.

Desktop Installation: Windows, macOS, and Linux

The desktop version is the heart of the Anki ecosystem. It is completely free, supports the widest range of add-ons, and gives you full control over card creation, deck management, and scheduling settings. Here is how to install it on each operating system.

Windows

Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) is required. The installer is a straightforward executable.

1. Go to the official download page at apps.ankiweb.net.
2. Click the download button for Windows. Save the installer file to your computer.
3. Double-click the downloaded file to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Launch Anki from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.

If you are upgrading from Anki 2.1.6 or later, you do not need to uninstall the previous version first — the installer handles the upgrade automatically. Note that some add-ons may not work immediately after a major version update.

macOS

Anki requires macOS 12 or later. The installation is a standard drag-and-drop process.

1. Download the .dmg file from apps.ankiweb.net.
2. Open the downloaded .dmg file.
3. Drag the Anki icon into the Applications folder.
4. Launch Anki from your Applications folder or Launchpad.

If you use Homebrew, you can install Anki with a single terminal command:

brew install --cask anki

For Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, or M3 chips), the official download automatically provides the correct native version. There is no need to look for a separate Apple Silicon build — the installer handles this.

Linux

The recommended installation method for Linux is via Flatpak, which works across most distributions.

flatpak install anki

Alternatively, you can download the Linux archive from apps.ankiweb.net and run it directly. Package managers for specific distributions (apt, dnf, pacman) may also have Anki available, though the Flatpak version is the most up-to-date and officially supported.

AnkiMobile for iOS: Why It Costs $24.99 (and Why It's Worth It)

AnkiMobile is the only paid app in the official lineup. At $24.99 as a one-time purchase, it often surprises new users who expect everything to be free. The reason is straightforward: the iOS revenue funds the development of the entire Anki ecosystem — including the free desktop app, the free Android app, and AnkiWeb. There are no subscriptions, no ads, and no in-app purchases.

Written by Damien Elmes, the lead developer of Anki and AnkiWeb, AnkiMobile has been available since 2010. It consistently ranks among the top ten paid iOS apps in the US and generates an estimated $700,000 per month according to Sensor Tower estimates — revenue that directly supports ongoing development across all platforms.

What you get for the price:

• Full FSRS and SM-2 scheduling support (native FSRS6 added in version 25.07, July 2025)
• Free cloud sync with AnkiWeb — no subscription required
• Support for decks with over 100,000 cards
• MathJax and LaTeX rendering for scientific and mathematical content
• Apple Pencil support for handwritten answers and diagrams
• Regular updates matching desktop releases (latest: version 25.09, September 2025)

For a deeper look at whether AnkiMobile is the right investment for your study routine, see our full Anki review.

AnkiDroid for Android: Free, Open-Source, and Powerful

Android users get the full Anki experience at no cost. AnkiDroid is a separate, open-source app maintained by a volunteer team that syncs seamlessly with AnkiWeb and the desktop version. It has been downloaded over 10 million times on Google Play and holds a 4.8-star rating from more than 163,000 reviews.

Key features include:

• Full spaced repetition with FSRS and SM-2 scheduling
• Free, unlimited sync with AnkiWeb
• Text-to-speech support for language learning
• Open-source code — anyone can inspect, modify, or contribute
• Offline access to all downloaded decks

To install, search for AnkiDroid on Google Play. The developer is listed as ichi2 — this is the correct official app. If the developer name is anything else, you are looking at a copycat.

AnkiWeb: Browser-Based Access Without Installation

AnkiWeb is the free browser-based companion that lets you review your cards on any device with an internet connection — no installation required. It serves two main purposes:

• A sync hub: All your devices (desktop, Android, iOS) sync through AnkiWeb, keeping your review progress and card changes consistent across platforms.
• A quick-review tool: When you are on a borrowed computer or a library terminal, you can log in at ankiweb.net and do your reviews without installing anything.

To get started, create a free account at ankiweb.net. You will use the same account credentials to sync all your devices.

Scam Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Fake Anki Apps

The Anki name is well-known enough that several unrelated apps have adopted it to mislead users. These copycat apps are not compatible with the official Anki ecosystem — they cannot sync with AnkiWeb, they do not support .apkg deck files, and they use their own (often inferior) spaced repetition algorithms. In several documented cases, they have caused real harm to students.

The Three Major Copycats

The most notorious case involves Noji (formerly AnkiPro). In May 2025 — right in the middle of exam season — the app suffered a ten-day complete outage that left users unable to access their cards. When users attempted to export their data to switch to another app, they were met with a Rick Roll video instead of their flashcard data. This is not a hypothetical risk — it is documented user harm.

Another documented case comes from the language learning community. A French learner using AnkiPro experienced broken formatting and missing audio on officially purchased flashcards. When they switched to the official Anki app, all content displayed correctly. The issue was not with the flashcards — it was with the fake app's inability to render them properly.

How to Identify the Official App

Use this checklist before downloading:

• Check the developer name: Official apps are published by Ankitects Pty Ltd (desktop/iOS) or ichi2 (AnkiDroid). Anything else is a copycat.
• Look for AnkiWeb sync: Official apps sync with ankiweb.net. If the app requires its own account or subscription, it is not Anki.
• Check the price: Desktop and Android are free. iOS is a one-time $24.99 purchase. If you see a subscription, walk away.
• Verify the app name exactly: Anki (desktop), AnkiMobile Flashcards (iOS), AnkiDroid Flashcards (Android). Not AnkiApp, AnkiPro, AnkiStudy, or any variation.

First Steps After Installing Anki

Once you have installed the correct app, these four steps will get you up and running quickly:

1. Create a free AnkiWeb account at ankiweb.net. This account is the backbone of cross-device sync.
2. Enable sync on each device: In the desktop app, click the sync button (or press 'y'). Enter your AnkiWeb credentials. Do the same on your mobile app.
3. Enable FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler): In Anki 23.10 and later, go to Deck Settings → Scheduler and select FSRS. Set your desired retention rate (0.90 is a good starting point). FSRS has been shown to predict recall more accurately than the older SM-2 algorithm in 99.6% of cases based on benchmark data covering ~350 million reviews across ~10,000 users.
4. Import a starter deck or create your first cards. You can download shared decks from AnkiWeb's deck library, or start creating your own cards from scratch.

For a detailed walkthrough of FSRS settings and optimization, see our FSRS settings guide for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free iPhone Anki app?

No. AnkiMobile for iOS costs $24.99 as a one-time purchase. There is no free version for iPhone or iPad. However, that single purchase funds the development of the free desktop and Android apps, and it includes free cloud sync for life — no subscriptions, no ads. If you see a free "Anki" app on the App Store, it is a copycat that will not sync with AnkiWeb.

Is AnkiPro the same as Anki?

No. AnkiPro (now rebranded as Noji) is a completely separate app that is not compatible with the official Anki ecosystem. It cannot import or export .apkg files, it does not sync with AnkiWeb, and it uses its own scheduling algorithm. Users who tried to switch from Noji to official Anki found they could not export their data — and during the May 2025 outage, they could not access their cards at all.

Can I use Anki offline?

Yes. All official Anki apps support offline use. You can review your cards on a plane, in a library without Wi-Fi, or anywhere else without an internet connection. When you reconnect, the app syncs your progress with AnkiWeb automatically.

What happens to my data if I switch devices?

Your data stays intact. As long as you sync each device with the same AnkiWeb account, all your cards, decks, and review history remain consistent across devices. Install the official app on your new device, log in to AnkiWeb, and sync — your entire collection appears automatically.

Still deciding between Anki and other spaced repetition apps? Our spaced repetition flashcard app buyer's guide compares Anki with Quizlet, Knowt, Brainscape, and other alternatives across pricing, algorithms, and features.